Smart collar for weight lifting bar

ABSTRACT

A smart collar for a weight lifting bar includes: a body defining a passage for receiving the weight lifting bar; a sensor coupled to the body for sensing motion of the body and generating data related to the motion; and, a processor coupled to the body for receiving the data from the sensor and for processing the data for at least one of storage and transmission.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to collars for weight lifting bars. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a smart collar for a weight lifting bar.

BACKGROUND

Various products are available for providing feedback, workout tracking and the like to users during weight training activities. Currently available products, however, can be costly and cumbersome to install. This may render the acquisition and use of such products by individuals difficult, instead limiting the use of such products to gyms and other institutions. Further, current products may also limit the ease with which their functionality can be extended to new or replacement equipment.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the specification, a smart collar for a weight lifting bar is provided. The collar comprises: a body defining a passage for receiving the weight lifting bar; a sensor coupled to the body for sensing motion of the body and generating data related to the motion; and, a processor coupled to the body for receiving the data from the sensor and for processing the data for at least one of storage and transmission.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings and to the following description, in which:

FIG. 1A is a front view of a smart collar in an open configuration, in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 1B is a front view of the smart collar of FIG. 11 in a closed configuration, in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment

FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting certain components of the collar of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a weight lifting plate for use with the collar of FIG. 1A, in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 4A is an isometric view of a weight lifting plate for use with the collar of FIG. 1A, in accordance with another non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 4B is a front view of a conductive member mounted on the plate of FIG. 4A, in accordance with another non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 5A is a front view of a smart collar in an open configuration, in accordance with another non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 5B is a front view of the smart collar of FIG. 5A in a closed configuration, in accordance with another non-limiting embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. Numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding of the embodiments described herein. The embodiments may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring the embodiments described. The description is not to be considered as limited to the scope of the embodiments described herein.

FIGS. 1A and 1B depict an example embodiment of a smart collar 100 (referred to hereinafter as “collar 100”) for a weight lifting bar 102. Collar 100 is configured for securing one or more weight plates 104 on a weight lifting bar 102. As will now be apparent to those skilled in the art, a wide variety of collar structures may be employed to secure plates onto bar 102. For example, collar 100 can have an annular shape with internal threads configured to engage with external threads on bar 102. In such embodiments, collar 100 secures plate 104 to bar 102 by being turned relative to bar 102 and being driven (via engagement of the above-mentioned threads) into contact with plate 104. Other collar structures will be described below.

Collar 100 includes a body 106 that defines a passage 108 for receiving weight lifting bar 102. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, body 106 has an open configuration (shown in FIG. 1A) in which passage 108 has a first cross-sectional area 150, and a closed configuration (FIG. 1B) in which passage 108 has a second cross-sectional area 154. As is evident in FIGS. 1A and 1B, second cross-sectional area 154 is smaller than first cross-sectional area 150. In embodiments in which body 106 has the above-mentioned configurations, collar 100 also includes an actuator 110 coupled to body 107 and movable between an open position (FIG. 1A) for placing the body in the open configuration to receive the weight lifting bar, and a closed position (FIG. 1B) for placing body 106 in the closed configuration to secure body 106 to bar 102. Body 106 is secured to bar 102 by abutting at least a portion of the external surface of bar 102 in the closed configuration, as a result of the reduced cross-sectional area of passage 108 in that configuration. The abutment is made with sufficient force as to retain collar 100 on bar 102 against some forces (e.g. the force exerted by plate 104 when bar 102 is tilted). As will now be apparent, in some embodiments, such as the threaded collar mentioned earlier, actuator 110 can be omitted, as body 106 may have only one configuration (i.e. a single invariant cross-sectional area).

In the example embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B, body 106 is formed from a resilient coil that has two ends and one or more loops between the ends that define passage 108. In the present embodiment, actuator 110 is formed by two handles 112, 114. Handle 112 extends from one of the two ends of the resilient coil and handle 114 extends from the other of the two ends of the resilient coil. The resilient coil can be made from any suitable resilient material, such as any suitable type of spring steel. Handles 112 and 114 may be made from a wide variety of materials, including rubber, plastic, and the like. Typically, body 106 is manufactured such that body 106 is biased towards the closed configuration (i.e. with the smaller cross-sectional area).

When actuator 110 is in the closed position, body 106 is in the closed configuration mentioned above, and passage 108 has second cross-sectional area 154. To attach collar 100 to weight lifting bar 102 to secure one or more weight plates 104 on weighting lifting bar 102, a force is applied to handles 112, 114 (which collectively form actuator 110 in the present embodiment) to press handles 112, 114 towards each other. As handles 112, 114 are pressed towards each other actuator 110 is placed in the open position, and places body 106 into the open configuration in which passage 108 has cross-sectional area 150. In the open configuration, as noted above, cross-sectional area 150 of passage 108 is sufficiently large (e.g. greater than a cross-sectional area of weight lifting bar 102) that weight lifting bar 102 can be received in and slide through passage 108. After weight lifting bar 102 slides through passage 108, the force applied to handles 112, 114 may be released so that actuator 110 returns to the closed position, and thus places body 106 in the closed configuration. As a result of the reduced cross-sectional area of passage 108 in the closed configuration, an inner surface of passage 108 abuts and grips weight lifting bar 102, securing collar 100 to bar 102.

Although passage 108 (and therefore the above-mentioned cross-sectional areas of passage 108) is generally circular, in other embodiments passage 108 may take any suitable shape that enables weight lifting bar 102 to be received in and slide through the passage 108 when the body 106 is in the open configuration, and be secured to collar 100 when body 106 is in the closed configuration.

Referring to FIG. 2, collar 100 includes various additional components not found on conventional collars. Collar 100 includes at least a processor 202 and a motion sensor 206, both coupled to body 106. Sensor 206, which can include any suitable combination of individual motion sensors, therefore detects motion of body 106, and processor 202 receives data from sensor 206 representing such motion.

Collar 100 also includes a communication interface 204. Communication interface 204 transmits data to and receives data from an external computing device, such as a mobile computing device (not shown). Examples of mobile computing devices include mobile or handheld wireless communication devices, such as smartphones, personal digital assistants, tablet computing devices, notebook computers, and the like.

Communication interface 204 includes at least one antenna (not shown) and a wireless communication network interface controller (WNIC) configured to transmit and receive radio frequency (RF) signals, via the at least one antenna (not shown), to and from, for example, the mobile computing device. Communication interface 204 provides for communication between collar 100 and the mobile computing device. In some embodiments, communication interface 204 can also provide for communication between collar 100 (specifically, processor 202) and one or more weight plates 104, as described in further detail below. Communication interface 204 may include circuits and components for short-range communication with the mobile computing device. Communication interface 204 may use a short-range communication standard to communication with the mobile computing device. Examples of short-range communication standards include Bluetooth™, Bluetooth™ low energy, the 802.11 family of standards developed by the IEEE, and near-field communications.

Processor 202 is also coupled to other components of collar 100, including a memory 208 and a power supply 210. Memory 208 can be a separate integrated circuit (IC) from processor 202, or can be a portion of the same integrated circuit as processor 202. Indeed, communication interface 204 can also be implemented as one or more separate ICs, or on the same IC as processor 202, memory 208, or both.

Collar 100 can also include one or more of a feedback device 214, a microphone 216, and a second sensor 220 (e.g. one or more non-motion sensors) connected to processor 202.

As mentioned above, sensor 206 is configured to detect motion of body 106 of collar 100 and to generate data related to the detected motion of body 106. Processor 202 receives from sensor 206, the data related to the detected motion of body 106. Processor 202 may store the data related to the detected motion of body 106 in memory 208 for later processing, transmission to a mobile computing device, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, processor 202 may transmit, using communication interface 204, the data related to the detected motion of body 106 to a mobile computing device without storing the data in memory 208.

Sensor 206, as noted earlier, can include any suitable combination of motion sensors. Sensor 206 can therefore include any one or more of an accelerometer (e.g. a multi-axis accelerometer), a gyroscope, a tilt sensor and the like.

In the example embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the components of collar 100 shown in FIG. 2 are disposed in a housing integrated with handle 112. In other embodiments, the above-mentioned components of collar 100 can be disposed in a housing integrated with handle 114. In further embodiments, the components shown in FIG. 2 can be disposed in a housing that can be removably coupled to either of handles 112 and 114. In further embodiments, the components of collar 100 may be divided between the above-mentioned housings.

Returning to FIG. 2, collar 100 also includes a power supply 210 for providing electrical power to the components of collar 100, including processor 202, sensor 206, communication interface 204, and memory 208. Power supply 210 may include a battery interface (not shown) for receiving one or more removable, batteries. The batteries (e.g. a coin cell battery) can be rechargeable or non-rechargeable. In other embodiments, power supply 210 may include a rechargeable battery fixed to body 106 and may include a port (not shown), such as a micro universal serial bus (USB) port, coupled to the rechargeable battery through which the rechargeable battery may be charged. In some embodiments, power supply 210 may be coupled to a kinetic energy harvesting circuit 212 that is configured to generate electricity from the motion of body 106 (e.g. during use of bar 102 by a user) and to supply electrical power to power supply 210.

As noted earlier, processor 202 can be interconnected with one or more feedback devices 214. The one or more feedback devices 214 may include a haptic feedback device, such as, for example a vibration motor that provides haptic feedback to a user touching weight lifting bar 102. Processor 202 can be configured to control such a haptic feedback device to vibrate, for example, when data obtained from sensor 206 indicates that weight lifting bar 102 is not level (i.e. parallel to the ground). Processor 202 may also be configured to control the haptic feedback device to vibrate when processor 202 receives a signal from the mobile computing device indicative of reception of a phone call or a text message.

The one or more feedback devices 214 may also include an audio feedback device for providing audio feedback, such as, for example, a speaker. The speaker may receive audio information from processor 202 and output the audio information as sound. The audio information may include an audio file obtained by processor 202 in any suitable way (e.g. received from the above-mentioned mobile computing device, retrieved from memory 208, or a combination thereof). The audio information may, for example, include information related to a workout file received by processor 202 from the mobile computing device.

The one or more feedback devices 214 may also include a visual feedback device for providing visual feedback. Such a visual feedback device may include one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) for providing visual feedback related to different modes of operation of smart collar 100. For example, one LED may be used to provide visual feedback when collar 100 is paired and communicating with the mobile computing device. Another LED may be used to provide visual feedback indicating that collar 100 is powered on.

Processor 202 may also interact with a microphone 216. Microphone 216 may be configured to receive audio commands and information from a user. For example, a user may verbally communicate how much weight is attached to weight lifting bar 102. Microphone 216 may be configured to convert the verbal communication into audio information that is provided to processor 202. Processor 202 may process the audio information using, for example, voice recognition software to decode the verbal command include in the audio information. In other embodiments, processor 202 may transmit the data (without voice recognition processing) to the above-mentioned mobile computing device for further processing, such as voice recognition.

Processor 202 may also interact with an input device 218. Input device 218 may be, for example, a button such as a push button or a touch-sensitive button. Input device 218 is configured to generate an input signal when the input device 218 is actuated. Processor 202 may receive a signal from input device 218 when input 218 is actuated and may awake from a sleep mode in response to receipt of the signal. Alternatively, processor 202 may enable communication or disable communication with the mobile computing device (not shown) in response receipt of a signal generated by input device 218 when input 218 is actuated. In another alternative embodiment, processor 202 may communicate with mobile computing device to indicate to start tracking a workout in response to receipt of a signal from input device 218.

As noted earlier, processor 202 may also interact with one or more other (i.e. non-motion) sensors 220. Sensor 220 is configured to detect actuation of actuator 110 and generate a signal indicative that actuator 110 has been actuated (i.e. moved from the closed position to the open position, or vice versa). Processor 202, upon receipt of the signal indicative that actuator 110 has been actuated, may be woken from a sleep mode and begin communicating with the components of collar 100, including sensor 204, communication interface 206, and memory 208. In other words, sensor 220 can supplement or replace the functionality of input device 218, discussed above.

Various other uses for input device 218 are also contemplated. For example, input device 218 can be employed in establishing a communication link between collar 100 (specifically, communication interface 204) and a mobile computing device. For instance, activating input device 218 can cause communication interface 204 to begin broadcasting an identifier for receipt by the mobile computing device. As will now be apparent, other methods of pairing collar 100 and the mobile computing device are also contemplated (e.g. an RFID or NFC device embedded on collar 100 and detectable by the mobile device).

Memory 208 may be integrated with the other components shown in FIG. 2, or it may be removable. That is, collar 100 can include a memory port (not shown) configured to receive a memory card, such as, for example, a USB stick or an SD card. The memory card may store a unique identifier associated with a user of the memory card. Upon detecting insertion of a memory card into the memory port, processor 202 may receive the unique identifier, and associate the data indicative of motion of the body received from sensor 206 with the unique identifiers, and store the data on the memory card inserted in the memory port. Prior to storing the data, processor 202 may process the data indicative of motion of the body received from sensor 206.

The above-mentioned memory card may also store information including a unique identifier associated with a mobile computing device. Processor 202 may read the information stored on the memory card, including the unique identifier associated with a mobile computing device, and interact with the communication interface to establish communication with a mobile computing device associated with the unique identifier read from the memory card. That is, memory 208 itself (generally when memory 208 is implemented as removable memory) may contain data that is effective to pair collar 100 and a mobile computing device).

Collar 100 can also include one or more input/output connections (not shown), such as one or more analog I/O pins, that can in turn be coupled to a weight sensing circuit configured to detect which plates 104 are mounted on weight lifting bar 102. Various plate-sensing mechanisms are contemplated, as will be discussed below.

Referring to FIG. 3, a plate 104 is shown with an opening 300 through which bar 102 is received. Plate 104 includes a conductive ring 304 at the edge of opening 300 (in some embodiments, the entirety of plate 104 may be conductive, in which case ring 304 may be omitted). Conductive ring 304 is connected to a power source such as a button cell battery 308 mounted to plate 104. The power sources for various plates 104 can be selected to generate different currents at the respective rings 304 of such plates 104. For example, a plate 104 weighing 10 lbs may be equipped with a power source that applies a current of 100 uA, whereas a plate 104 weighing 45 lbs may be equipped with a power source that applies a current of 450 uA.

As will now be apparent, conductive ring 304 contacts bar 102 when plate 104 is mounted on bar 102. In addition, bar 102 itself is conductive, and therefore the current applied by the power sources of any plates 104 on bar 102 can be detected by a current sensor on collar 100 connected to processor 202. The current sensor can be arranged on collar 100 to contact bar 102, and can be connected to the above-mentioned I/O pin(s) in order to transmit a measurement of the detected current to processor 202. Processor 202 can be configured to compare the summed current detected at such a sensor with a lookup table or other data stored in memory 208 in order to determine which combination of plates 104 leads to the detected current. The combination of plates 104 thus identified can be transmitted to the above-mentioned mobile computing device.

In other embodiments, processor 202 may also obtain information related to the weight of each weight plate 104 placed on the weight lifting bar 102 via communication interface 204. Each weight plate 104 placed on weight lifting bar 102 may include a near-field communication/RFID sticker/tag/module that may be read by communication interface 204 when the near-field communication/RFID sticker/tag/module is within communication range of communication interface 204. Processor 202 may determine the total weight of weights place on weight lifting bar 102 by summing the weight read by communication interface 204 from each near-field communication/RFID sticker/tag/module. As will now be apparent, this embodiment will typically require collar 100 to be placed in close proximity with each plate 104 before placing collar 100 on bar 102 to secure the plates 104 to bar 102. In other embodiments, graphical indicators, such as bar codes, QR codes or the like, may be affixed to each plate 104, detected by the mobile computing device and decoded to determine the type of each plate.

In a further embodiment, processor 202 can be configured to identify the types of plates 104 mounted on bar 102 by way of a resistive or capacitive circuit, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. Each weight plate 104 may have a sticker or other mounting structure 400 (e.g. a rigid plastic ring), for example placed around opening 300 on each side of plate 104. As seen in FIG. 4B, each sticker 400 has an outer conductive ring 404 and an inner conductive ring 408. At least one of the stickers 400 placed on a given plate 104 includes a resistor or capacitor 412 connecting inner and outer rings 404 and 408. In addition, when a pair of stickers 400 have been placed on either side of plate 104, a first electrical connection is established between the outer rings 404 of the pair, and a second electrical connection is established between the inner rings 408 of the pair. The first and second electrical connections may be established, for example, by stickers or other thin structures extending from one side of plate 104, through opening 300, to the other side of plate 104.

In embodiments employing the plate 104 attachments shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, collar 100 can include electrical contacts configured to contact, respectively, the outer ring 404 and inner ring 408 of the outermost plate 104 on bar 102 (that is, the plate 104 against which collar 100 is secured). Processor 202 can be configured to apply a current to the above-mentioned contacts, and measure the resistance (or current, or any other suitable electrical parameter) of the circuit formed by the electrical contacts, rings 404 and 408, and resistor 412. As will now be apparent, when multiple weight lifting plates 104 are placed on the weight lifting bar 102, the inner rings 408 of adjacent plates 104 will touch each other, and the outer rings 404 of adjacent plates will touch each other, creating a ladder circuit with all of the resistors 412 (or capacitors) in parallel. Processor 202, therefore, can determine based, for example, on the total resistance of the circuit, which types of plates 104 are present on bar 102.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, another example embodiment of smart collar 100 is shown in the form of a collar 500. In the example embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, a body 506 is a substantially c-shaped member articulable (e.g. about an axis 507) between open (FIG. 5A) and closed (FIG. 5B) configurations and defines a passage 508. An actuator 510 includes a lever arm 512 rotatably connected to one half of body 506, and a linkage 516 connected to the other half of body 506. Lever arm 512 and linkage 516 are also connected to each other.

As shown in FIG. 5B, when lever arm 512 is rotated towards a closed position, the two halves of body 506 are pulled together into a closed configuration to grip bar 102. When lever arm 512 is rotated in the opposite direction, on the other hand, collar 500 reverts to the open configuration shown in FIG. 5A.

It will be appreciated that in the example embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the components of collar 100 shown in FIG. 2, including processor 202, communication interface 204, sensor 206, memory 208, can be embedded within body 506. In other embodiments, those components can be housed within a separate compartment that is attached (removably or not) to body 506.

As described above, processor 202 communicates with a mobile computing device via communication interface 204. The mobile computing device includes a software application running thereon that communicates with processor 202 of collar 100. Processor 202 transmits and receives data from the mobile computing device, including the data indicative of motion of body 104 detected by sensor 204 from collar 100. The software application running on the mobile computing device processes the data by analyzing and performing calculations on the data. The software application may display workout information on a display of the mobile computing device determined from the processed data, including, for example, a number of exercise repetitions, number of exercise sets, calories burnt, velocity of exercise, dwell time at the start or end position of an exercise, current force exertion, average force exertion, total force exertion, exercise tempo, rest time, active time, heart rate estimation, workout form correctness, muscle strength, maximum rep and more. The software application may also be configured to display, on the display of the mobile computing device, a virtual replay of a user's exercise so that the user can replay and watch the exact motion their barbell moved in during their exercise, to enable a user to analyze their workouts on their own and to understand what they are doing better. The software application may also provide feedback such as feedback on workout form (what is wrong and how to correct it or if the user has good form), workout suggestions such as using more or less weight or doing more or less repetitions, and exercise routine suggestions.

The software application may also provide a virtual personal trainer experience where the software application will control the mobile computing device to output audio information before, during and after workouts. The software application may also provide workout routines, real-time feedback during workouts about workout form (tilt of the barbell when it should be flat or incorrect barbell path during exercise are indicators), rep counting out loud for the user, motivational speech output to tell the user to keep going or to motivate the user to get another rep in, to inform the user to use less or more weight, to inform the user what exercise to do next and how many reps and with what weight, or to remind the user what weight used last time they worked out and more.

The software application may also be configured to enable the mobile computing device to establish communication with collar 100 when the mobile computing device is within communication range of collar 100.

The software application may also be a social fitness network, where users can add other fitness buddies, and have a profile with all of their athletic stats to share with others and compare with friends or professional athletes. The software application may also have a points/level system where users will earn points when they work out and unlock achievements, milestones and challenges while leveling up. 

Claims:
 1. A smart collar for a weight lifting bar, the collar comprising: a body defining a passage for receiving the weight lifting bar; a sensor coupled to the body for sensing motion of the body and generating data related to the motion; and, a processor coupled to the body for receiving the data from the sensor and for processing the data for at least one of storage and transmission.
 2. The smart collar of claim 1, the body having an open configuration in which the passage has a first cross-sectional area, and a closed configuration in which the passage has a second cross-sectional area smaller than the first cross-sectional area; the collar further comprising an actuator coupled to the body and movable between an open position for placing the body in the open configuration to receive the weight lifting bar, and a closed configuration for placing the body in the closed configuration to secure the body to the weight lifting bar.
 3. The smart collar of claim 1, further comprising: a communication interface operably coupled to the processor for transmitting the data to a mobile computing device for processing.
 4. The smart collar of claim 3, wherein the communication interface comprises a short-range wireless transceiver for transmitting the data to the mobile computing device.
 5. The smart collar of claim 4, wherein the short-range wireless transceiver transmits the data to the mobile computing device using Bluetooth.
 6. The smart collar of claim 4, wherein the short-range wireless transceiver communicates with a short-range wireless device coupled to a weight using a near-field communication protocol.
 7. The smart collar of claim 1, further comprising: a memory disposed on the body for storing the data.
 8. The smart collar of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises one of an accelerometer and a gyroscope.
 9. The smart collar of claim 1, further comprising a feedback device disposed on the body for providing feedback.
 10. The smart collar of claim 9, wherein the feedback device is a haptic feedback device for providing haptic feedback to the weight lifting bar via the body.
 11. The smart collar of claim 9, wherein the feedback device is a visual feedback device for providing visual feedback.
 12. The smart collar of claim 11, wherein the visual feedback device comprises one or more light emitting diodes.
 13. The smart collar of claim 9, wherein the feedback device is an audio feedback device for providing audio feedback.
 14. The smart collar of claim 14, wherein the audio feedback device comprises a speaker.
 15. The smart collar of claim 1, further comprising: a power supply coupled to the body for powering the sensor and the processor.
 16. The smart collar of claim 15, wherein the power supply comprises a rechargeable battery.
 17. The smart collar of claim 16, wherein the rechargeable battery is removable from the body.
 18. The smart collar of claim 1, further comprising: an input device coupled to the body and operably coupled to the processor, the input device for activating the smart collar.
 19. The smart collar of claim 1, further comprising: a second sensor coupled to body for detecting actuation of the actuator and generating a signal upon detecting actuation of the actuator.
 20. The smart collar of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a resilient coil having two ends and one or more rings that define the passage.
 21. The smart collar of claim 20, wherein the actuator comprises a pair of handles, each respective handle extending from one of the two ends of the resilient coil.
 22. The smart collar of claim 1, wherein the body is substantially c-shaped and has a first end and a second end, and wherein the actuator comprises a locking mechanism coupled each of the first and second ends. 